Weeks 5-8 of The 12 Week Performance Project
Accomplishment is how I would measure success. There is two types of accomplishment: short-term and long-term. Short-term accomplishments prepare us and advance us toward long-term accomplishment. For the next four weeks we will continue with the incredible challenges and successes on a daily basis to stand against the norm, stats, and poor average physical health that all the experts claim as ours. We will stand and fight with our mind, body, and spirit to achieve our full potential and become a new statistic–A HEALTHY PERSON WITH FULL FITNESS! Our 5 aspects of fitness are mental, nutrition, exercise, recovery, and support, and this is what we use to measure fitness success.
To know we have had short-term accomplishments we must measure our progress, so if you have not been doing this so far, begin today! Add your measurements to the blog, and reference them from month to month. Each day we will support and encourage one another to speak life and begin living your to your full potential!
One of the most successful CEO’s living utilized this principle with DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. I think this is a great way to know if you are achieving or you have an opportunity to achieve. Our SMART goal system is a perfect place to start, and then jump on the team with this 12 Week Performance Project and see how amazing you really are.
HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS?
A popular story recounts a meeting that took place at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago in 1923. Attending this meeting were nine of the richest men in the world at that time: (1) Charles Schwab, President of the world’s largest independent steel company; (2) Samuel Insull, President of the world’s largest utility company; (3) Howard Hopson, President of the largest gas firm; (4) Arthur Cutten, the greatest wheat speculator; (5) Richard Whitney, President of the New York Stock Exchange; (6) Albert Fall, member of the President’s Cabinet; (7) Leon Frazier, President of the Bank of International Settlements; (8) Jessie Livermore, the greatest speculator in the Stock Market; and (9) Ivar Kreuger, head of the company with the most widely distributed securities in the world.
Twenty-five years later, (1) Charles Schwab had died in bankruptcy, having lived on borrowed money for five years before his death. (2) Samuel Insull had died virtually penniless after spending some time as a fugitive from justice. (3) Howard Hopson was insane. (4) Arthur Cutten died overseas, broke. (5) Richard Whitney had spent time in Sing-Sing. (6) Albert Fall was released from prison so he could die at home. (7) Leon Fraizer, (8) Jessie Livermore, and (9) Ivar Kreuger each died by suicide. Measured by wealth and power these men achieved success, at least temporarily. Making a lot of money may be an acceptable goal, but money most assuredly does not guarantee a truly successful life.
Many people think of fame and fortune when they measure success. However, at some point in life, most people come to realize that inner peace and soul-deep satisfaction come not from fame and fortune, but having lived a life based on integrity and noble character. President Lincoln put it this way: “Honor is better than honors.” At a Congressional Hearing on ethics in July 2002, Truett Cathy, founder of Chik-Fil-A, quoted Proverbs 22:1: “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” In the final analysis, living an honorable life really is more satisfying than fame and fortune. How do you measure success?
© 2009 (To use this short essay or refer to this Web page, please cite the original article from which this essay was a part, “Business and Accounting Ethics” by Dr. Katherine T. Smith and Dr. L. Murphy Smith. In January 2009, this article was the first website listed after a Google search for “accounting ethics.” ).
For us at Innovative Results, we believe honor and integrity starts by honoring the gifts we were given as humans and holding true to the plan that was given to us since the beginning. We were not made to squander our bodies and live mediocre lives. We were made to be GREAT stewards of ourselves, our gifts, and share this with all those around us! I look forward to joining with you as we lift each other up and encourage one another toward success!
aguyett says
Good pics, but the story in the middle really made me think. I was all about money, fame, pride, and lust…now that my life has a new and everlasting purpose, everyday is serving and praising Him, glorifying Him, and doing through my brothers, my sisters, His creation, and improving my relationship with Him. 🙂 Honor and integrity is right…but maybe better said, “Truth and Love.”